Different Types of Quilt Batting- A Detailed Overview
Is there a better feeling than comfortably sleeping under a quilt during the winter? However, to make sure you truly have this euphoric experience, a good quilt is necessary. The weight and warmth of the quilt come from the batting or filler.
Quilt batting can be of many different types making use of different materials to provide the filling. If you’re making a quilt, knowing what kind of batting options are available to you can help. This article will give you an overview of the different types of quilt batting.
Different Types of Quilt Batting
The batting of quilts often makes use of different materials. Some of them are good on their own, while others are used in combination with another material to work better. The different kinds of quilt batting are:
1. Cotton Batting
Cotton is one of the most commonly used materials for batting. Lots of quilts you buy or use make use of cotton. Also, cotton happens to have the best insulation properties making sure to keep you extra warm during the cold days of winter.
Quilt battings made out of cotton usually make full use of cotton. Sometimes they might add in other materials to help with draping.
Battings made fully out of cotton tend to average around 1/8 inches of thickness. Making thicker cotton battings using 100% cotton can be difficult if you don’t quilt using a machine.
Advantages of Cotton Batting
- Cotton batting is soft and lightweight
- The insulating properties of cotton are good
- It can absorb moisture and is very soft to the touch
- Cotton is a renewable resource, so it is easily available for quilt batting and sustainable
Disadvantages of Cotton Batting
- Needs to be pre-washed carefully or else it will end up shrinking
- Is more on the expensive side
- Can’t be used for drapes
Uses of Cotton Batting
Since cotton tends to be warm and soft, it is the best choice for making baby quilts. Cotton is used to making thinner quilts as higher loft cotton batting can prove difficult to sew without a machine.
2. Polyester Batting
Contrasting cotton, which is a natural product, polyester batting is synthetic. Polyester has many desirable qualities that make it a prime choice for batting. It is soft and easy to work with. Polyester also tends to flame retardant, so it doesn’t easily catch on fire. It is also much more durable than other battings.
Advantages of Polyester Batting
- It is soft and stretchy
- Unlike cotton, there is no risk of polyester batting shrinking
- It is made out of recyclable materials and is healthier for the environment
- Polyester batting is cheap
- Polyester batting resists rot, mold, and pest damage
Disadvantages of Polyester Batting
- Harder to dry
Uses of Polyester Batting
Polyester batting is mostly used for decorative quilts and baby quilts. They are durable and easy to work with, making them a suitable choice. Polyester batting’s resistance to mold and rot also makes it a very good option for making decorative quilts.
3. Wool Batting
For the warmest quilts that help you sleep peacefully during quilts, wool batting is a very good option. Wool batting makes use of sheep’s wool and tends to be both the heaviest and warmest of all the quilt battings you can find.
And wool batting has been in use for a long time since it is the easiest to quilt by hand. It is versatile as it can be used to make quilt battings of various thicknesses.
Advantages of Wool Batting
- Wool batting is very warm
- It is easy to work with by both hand and machine
- Is available in different lofts of thickness
Disadvantages of Wool Batting
- Wool batting is on the expensive side
- Washing wool is difficult and can result in shrinking
- Wisps of batting can form during washing
Uses of Wool Batting
The defining aspects of wool are that it is warm and heavy. It has many different uses, including beginner quilts, since it is easy to work with as long as the weight is not a concern.
4. Bamboo Batting
It may sound odd, but bamboo batting is being seen as a good choice for quilt batting in recent times. With bamboo being a renewable resource and offering many desirable aspects for quilt batting, many people are trying to use or incorporate bamboo batting.
100% bamboo isn’t used. Instead, bamboo is blended with silk or cotton, usually in a 1:1 ratio.
Advantages of Bamboo Batting
- Bamboo is a renewable resource and has anti-bacterial properties
- It is lightweight and soft
- Bamboo with silk can be made to drape easily
- It can be worked with via both hands and machines
Disadvantages of Bamboo Batting
- 100% bamboo and bamboo cotton mix can be hard to wash
Uses of Bamboo Batting
Bamboo batting is one of the best options for summer quilts, as it is lightweight and soft. Since bamboo batting has a lot of loft sizes to choose from, it is quite versatile and sees a lot of use.
5. Silk Batting
Silk batting is the perfect combination of strength and softness. It is blended with polyester or cotton for batting uses. Silk batting is a solid choice for quilt batting as it combines many desirable features.
Advantages of Silk Batting
- It is soft to touch and very lightweight
- Silk is very easy to work with
- It can drape well
Disadvantages of Silk Batting
- It is difficult to wash, especially if blended with cotton
- Silk batting is very expensive
Uses of Silk Batting
Silk is flexible and easy to use. The most prominent use of silk batting is high-quality quilts and decorative quilts.
Conclusion
There are many different types of quilt batting, which can be overwhelming for beginner quilters.
This article tries to give a basic outline of the various quill types and highlights their defining features. Hopefully, it is successful in its endeavor, and you have a better grasp of the different kinds of quilt batting.